Originally published: September 20, 2012

DM: Thank goodness Subaru found the will to build the BRZ. I’m not sure the brand could take many more plaid-shirt offerings, the WRX STi notwithstanding. The BRZ is easily the most exciting Suby I’ve seen in my career.

RB: Certainly the most exciting since the 360 microcar and BRAT mini-truck, and way more fun to drive, no doubt. I think everyone should get a chance behind the BRZ wheel to appreciate just how exhilarating a light, balanced rear-drive coupe can be even in routine, here-to-there driving. Having seen the early reports, I expected the strong brakes, smooth clutch and quick-throw six-speed manual shift. But I was surprised by the broad power band of the 2.0-litre "flat-four" engine. Got to love turbo charging.

DM: Did you really think there was a turbo under that aluminum hood? I’m not surprised, really. Everyone has been raving about the power in this car. And yes, 200 horsepower from the naturally aspirated boxer engine is a good number for a car that feels like it weighs less than a piano. But I’d love to see more than 150 ft.-lbs. of torque. The car does not, by any means, feel underpowered, but in a world where a base Mustang huffs with more than 300 horsepower, the wee little Suby needs something more — you know, the way a hearty soup sometimes needs an another pinch of spice. Adding a turbo would seem the obvious solution. The Hyundai Veloster Turbo, one of the BRZ’s key competitors, has 195 lb.-ft. of torque. A BRZ Turbo would obliterate it.

RB: Turbo? I must have meant burble – as in the sweet, mid-toned exhaust note that isn’t the usual sound of a Subaru. And while I agree that a dash of HP sauce would spice this soup, I’d worry about spoiling the delicate mix of response, handling and other elements that just seem so right in this car. Like the suspension: firm, but with enough give to keep the ride agreeable. Of course, a well-tuned suspension is what I’d expect of a Subaru. The BRZ, as many will know, has a sister model in Toyota’s Scion FR-S. It’s clear who contributed the underpinnings – and of course the boxer engine – in this partnership. Toyota’s share included styling, which I found a tad swirly. Not awful, but not likely destined for classic design status, either.

DM: I wonder if many said the same about the Toyota AE86, which, apparently is the inspiration for the Toyota version. The AE is pretty much a cult car now. Either way, you’re right, the combination of handling, power, steering, and rear-wheel drive really do make the BRZ a thoroughly enjoyable driving experience. This is a car that feels like it was meant to be driven, to be tossed around — something it has no problem doing. Even when pushed really hard, the BRZ stays composed, with little understeer. I did find it a bit loud inside the cabin under most situations, however. Part of that noise can lend to the driving experience. But I’d get tired of that pretty quickly, and I’m not sure I’d want to do a major highway trip in it — but maybe that’s my 40-something softness speaking.

RB: Very comfortable seats for that road trip, however, at least up front. The back seat, of course, is coupe-tight, and, like a Yo Gabba Gabba! live show, not a place where adults should spend much time. I was disappointed by the lack of heaters for our tester’s black fabric seats. Subaru is usually good about combining seat heaters with cloth, but here, the winter-warmers come only in a $2,000 Sport-tech package that adds leather upholstery, push-button start and some other items. I did like the big, red-lit gauges and thick steering wheel, but I was less taken with the Pioneer combination audio/navigation system. Did you figure out the controls? I gave up on Day 2.

DM: I loathed that crappy stereo. Every time I reached for the volume, I would accidentally hit the off button. Everything else was impossible to see, the type was so small and lost in the daylight. It was my single dislike about the car. But those stereos are meant to be swapped out easily. I suspect it will be the first thing to go for a majority of BRZ owners. If it were my car, I’d also add a cat-back exhaust and cold air intake to sharpen the exhaust note, and some slightly wider wheels than the Michelin Primacy bicycle tires it comes with. All of which is to say this car is easily customized. That’s something the target audience for this car will appreciate. And you’re right about the heated seats: they would be nice to have as standard equipment, but getting them with the Sport-tech package also means nicer controls. What do you think about the price?

RB: $27,295 for the base car – $28,495 with six-speed paddle-shift automatic – might seem like mid-size money for compact-size return. You can have a Mustang convertible for nearly $1,000 less. But I think it’s a fair figure for a well-designed, well-assembled coupe that can serve as primary ride for a single or couple, or a second car for a family – the trunk will hold a few grocery bags and the rear seat back folds for a bit more cargo room. And even as the first two-wheel-drive Subaru in North America since, maybe, that little 360, it should easily be tractable enough for year-round service. The requirement for premium fuel tells us this is no budget entry, but it gets decent mileage – depending on your driving style.

DM: Incredible economy on the highway, despite its relatively high gearing (2,700 rpm at 100 km/h.) I got 5.8L/100 kilometres while travelling at 100 – 120 km/h, and 5.6 while travelling at 80-100 km/h. So, yes, the BRZ is going to be very economical to operate, and I suspect reliability will be exceptionally good given the Toyota involvement. That said, this is still going to be a roughly $30,000 purchase when all the smoke clears, and I can’t help but wonder if a used Porsche Cayman would be a better car for that money? More costly to operate, sure, but less depreciation and, well, a Porsche is a Porsche. Is that a fair comparison?

RB: Sure, if you’re comfortable with buying used. But if you demand that your fun be showroom-fresh, this light, lithe BRZ should make you plenty happy.